Which boy band was formed by Simon Cowell for the 2010 series of The X Factor UK?

One Direction was formed by Simon Cowell for the 2010 series of The X Factor UK.

The five members—Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik—auditioned as solo contestants but were combined into a group during the competition. They finished third in the series, behind winner Matt Cardle and runner-up Rebecca Ferguson.

The group signed with Syco Records after the show and became one of the most commercially successful acts formed through a televised talent competition. Its debut single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” was released in 2011.

One Direction is often described as having formed in 2010, even though its members had auditioned separately. Zayn Malik left in 2015, and the remaining members announced an extended hiatus later that year.